Can you contract a cold twice within a month?

Can You Get Colds Twice in a Month?

Yes, you can absolutely contract a cold twice within a month because adults typically experience 2-5 separate cold episodes per year, and school children may suffer 7-10 colds annually, with different viruses circulating in successive waves throughout the cold season. 1

Why Multiple Colds Per Month Are Possible

The sustained epidemic of colds occurring annually from September through April is explained by successive waves of different viruses moving through a community. 2 This means:

• Over 200 different viral strains cause colds, with rhinoviruses alone having numerous serotypes that each provide immunity only to that specific strain 2, 3
• Each cold is caused by a different virus, so having one cold does not protect you from catching another caused by a different viral strain 2
• Peak incidence occurs in preschool children, who typically sustain at least one illness per month during the September-April epidemic period 2

Expected Cold Frequency by Age

• Adults: 2-5 episodes of viral upper respiratory infections per year 1
• School-age children: 7-10 colds per year 1
• Children in daycare: 3-8 viral URIs per year, potentially with longer symptom duration 4

Duration and Overlap Considerations

Understanding symptom duration helps explain why two colds in a month might feel like one prolonged illness:

• Typical cold duration: 7-10 days in adults 5, 4
• Extended symptoms: Up to 25% of patients continue with cough and nasal discharge for 14 days—this is normal and does not indicate bacterial infection 5, 6
• Children's colds last longer: 10-14 days compared to less than a week in adults 2
• Approximately 7-13% of cases: Symptoms may persist beyond 15 days 4

When to Suspect a Second Cold vs. Prolonged First Cold

You should suspect a second distinct cold infection if:

• You experienced complete symptom resolution for several days, then developed new cold symptoms 5
• The symptom pattern changed significantly (e.g., first cold was primarily nasal congestion, second presents with sore throat and cough)

It's likely still the first cold if:

• Symptoms have been continuous without a symptom-free interval 5, 6
• You're within the 10-14 day expected duration 5, 4, 6
• Cough and nasal discharge persist (these are the most persistent symptoms) 4

Red Flags Suggesting Bacterial Complication (Not a Second Cold)

Only 0.5-2% of viral upper respiratory infections develop bacterial complications. 5, 6 Suspect bacterial rhinosinusitis only if at least 3 of these 5 criteria are present:

• Discolored (purulent) nasal discharge 1, 5
• Severe unilateral facial pain 1, 5
• Fever >38°C (100.4°F) 1, 5
• "Double sickening" pattern (initial improvement followed by worsening) 1, 5
• Elevated inflammatory markers (CRP/ESR) 1

Critical pitfall: Do not diagnose bacterial sinusitis in the first 10 days of symptoms—87% of patients show sinus abnormalities on CT during viral colds that resolve without antibiotics. 5

Management Remains the Same

Whether it's your first or second cold of the month, management is identical:

• Combination antihistamine-decongestant-analgesic products provide the most effective symptom relief (1 in 4 patients experience significant improvement) 5
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen 400-800 mg every 6-8 hours) for headache, ear pain, muscle/joint pain, and malaise 5
• Antibiotics are never indicated for uncomplicated colds and contribute to antimicrobial resistance 5, 4, 6

Prevention

The best way to reduce your risk of multiple colds is hand hygiene, as rhinovirus spreads most efficiently through direct hand contact. 4, 7, 8